What are the challenges facing immigration education?

I’m pursuing my research in education sociology and focusing on the challenges facing immigration education. I need to explore these challenges and at the end come up with solutions on the ways in which education for an immigrant child can be safeguarded and at the same time promoted. I’m also looking at immigrant children’s education milestones as covered by the United States administration in the past one decade as well the steps in which the government is taking in order to attain equilibrium between immigration and schools. As such, I’m kindly asking for assistance on what to include in these subjects in order to come up with a comprehensive report.

1 answer

Heather Maxwellon March 16, 2018

Study indicates that, by 2050, over one third of America’s school going children under the age of 17 will be composed of immigrant learners and children of immigrant parents. Therefore, education stakeholders will need to reshape classroom strategies, come up with better ways to navigate cultural differences and enhance family engagement measures. The fact that you are carrying out a research on immigrant education calls upon your consideration on these recurring realities. Primarily, your report should begin by identifying a range of major challenges being faced by immigrant children in ideal US classrooms. The challenges are as outlined in the following sections:

The United States migration data indicates that for every four school going children, at least one have an immigrant status or he/she is directly related to a US immigrant. Despite the high number of immigrant children, the system and facilities are still ill-equipped and cannot meet their needs. Immigrant children are constantly learning two languages which is a lucrative asset; however, most schools are yet to give their support effectively. Use of multiple communication forms in the classroom setting that is incorporated with native languages to facilitate understanding, takes a great deal of practice and skill. The requirements of standardized examinations usually force schools most schools to neglect the incredible necessity of native languages as opposed to putting emphasis on rote learning.

Connected to the development of bilingual language, immigrant students are best assisted when schools focus on bicultural identities that will enable them to transverse cultural diversities to the fullest. Every child in the modern time requires learning how to bypass cultural boundaries regardless of whether they are ethnic, geographical, age, racial or any other boundary that they encounter in life. Whilst immigrant students must bypass multiple cultures, most districts and schools have failed to develop strategies that can facilitate cultural straddling. Most education systems primarily focus on the way of doing things in the United States. At the same, immigrant children enter into a heavily racialized society that is just the United States. The fact that the US government welcomes immigrants to live and study in the US implies that it has the heart to facilitate immigrant education for children. Furthermore, the legislature has passed laws that allow immigrant students to study, live and work in America; whereas civil activist’s movements have constantly advocated for equality in education, politics, employment and social mobility.

Another is issue that largely affect immigrant children’s education is the issue of undocumented status. Most children encounter barriers as a result of the documented status of their parents. The issue of undocumented status is often correlated and always accompanied by poverty, tendency to be deported and fears of being suspected of terror acts as well as being manhandled by the security agencies among more other issues. As for undocumented young people, they tend to encounter increasing hindrances to social mobility when they begin looking for things such as driver’s licenses, college support and work.

The United States has demonstrated sufficient willingness to help balance schools and immigration. This has been accepting immigrant from were prone countries to live, study and work in the United States. The legislature has also passed a number of bills that protect immigrants and grant them a fair opportunity to access education in American schools.

Jordan Soto2 years ago

There is much that you should cover in your research regarding the challenges facing immigration education. The answer above highlights important facts to include in the report. In addition, I would say that schools should do more to attenuate stereotype threats and enhance relations. The more effectively these issues are stressed, the better the relations between immigrant students and their counterparts that were born in the United States.

Also, most teachers working in new immigrant destinations, especially those with skyrocketing numbers of immigrant students are constantly being faced with a range of unexpected issues. These issues include: lack of common communication language, specific socio-emotional needs, varying range of skills English language and community conflict. Equipping teachers with special skills and equipment will strongly help to combat these challenges and hence promoting smooth learning and co-existence.

Finally, leaders should be committed to forging consultations and conversations on change and differences, and at the end, find ways to harness the opportunities which emerge from a constantly varying student population so as to improve learning and teaching.